Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems recently sat down with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 for an enlightening conversation covering various aspects of her career. During the interview, she delved into her spiritual connection while recording her latest single “ME & U,” shared insights on maintaining balance amidst her rising success, revealed her experience working on the “Wakanda Forever” soundtrack, and teased her forthcoming album.
Tems’ latest single, “ME & U,” has been making waves in the music industry, capturing the essence of a profound spiritual journey. Reflecting on the creation of the song, she revealed, “So funny thing is I actually created this in 2021. It was around the time I shot the video for Essence, and when I heard it, I just went into a trance and I was having a conversation with God about… I’m not sure what it was, I was just in a trance, and I didn’t remember what I had done until I recorded it, but it really was just about the conversation surrounding commitment and faith.”
Tems emphasized the spiritual nature of music creation, regardless of its genre or origin. She believes that music inherently possesses a spiritual energy, and she aims to infuse her honesty into her work. “I think music is very spiritual no matter what it sounds like, no matter where it’s from, no matter whether it’s acknowledged or not. I think music always has an energy, and I just want to be as honest as I can in my music.”
Addressing her meteoric rise in the music industry and how it has impacted her artistry, Tems spoke about the importance of maintaining balance and staying true to oneself. “I think just this whole journey has taught me so much just about learning how to find balance in your life and not being afraid, having courage, being brave to be you. It does change your art because when you’re used to being alone before and now you’re not alone and used to have no one, now you have people. So people could influence you in so many ways. And I think it’s just finding the time to gather yourself as much as possible so you stay in tune with who you are to why you even want to be here in the first place. I think that’s important for sure.”
Tems emphasized her commitment to staying grounded through a quest for knowledge and understanding. “I feed myself with truth and I pray a lot, but I think just attaining knowledge and gaining understanding is how you stay grounded. Because when things are happening, if you allow yourself to get lost in the source, then… So I just feed myself on truth all the time.”
Discussing her experience working on the “Wakanda Forever” soundtrack, she described it as a new and humbling experience. The recognition and acknowledgments received were overwhelming and served as a testament to her talent and artistry.
As for her forthcoming album, Tems tantalizingly hinted at what’s to come. While she couldn’t reveal too much, she did indicate that her plans might have shifted, but fans can rest assured that exciting developments are on the horizon. She declared, “What I’m going to say is after this, after now, it’s coming. There’s no break anymore. I’m not on break, I’m not doing… I’ve taken the time I needed and yeah, this thing’s coming, so don’t worry about that yet.”
Tems’ journey in music continues to captivate audiences, and her future projects promise to be nothing short of remarkable.
